... by Pam Paizs, owner of Happy Hovel Storable Foods

This is such an important question!

As I am in the process of answering this same question on web radio, it is doubly important that I also make my comments available to the rest of the reading public. Both of these stoves, ovens, etc., will cook your foods but there are very different reasons you should be aware of before you choose which method. Firstly, we must look at the safety of using either one:

Propane:

Propane is a clean heat and easily available small sealed tanks are plentiful for either hiking or for keeping in a "safe house". When using the smaller propane tanks (1 pint size) they are less likely to harm anyone if there were to be any earth movements. Also if you were to use larger size tanks, I would suggest no larger that a 5 or 10 gallon size, these 2 sizes would require securing to the wall of a "safe house" with strong fiber straps, so they will not fly about the room and potential hurt anyone during earth movements. The other very important reason I like the smaller 1 pint propane bottles is that they are easily stored into a large plastic tub, whereas the larger sizes do need to be secured.

As for their heat output and cooking time it is excellent, I have used a 2 burner camping stove for a period of 10 days and have only used 2 of the small size tanks for 3 meals per day. I cook my beans or heavier foods in a small stainless steel pressure cooker, so it all takes 15 to 20 minutes start to finish, less moisture in the air (surrounding area will stay dryer) plus the wonderful fact that you use less water by cooking with a pressure cooker.

Using propane, I can see the flame; this will be the most important point as well as no problems with spillage, smell or moisture!

Now Onto Alcohol:

Most buyers of alcohol stoves have little understanding of how dangerous they are. They work with liquid FIRE! The problem with liquid FIRE is it falls, spills, and runs over the stove on to everything. A small drip can burn, melt, and start a huge fire!! The liquid is unlike propane!! It stays on anything it touches and spreads to everything!! So now everything is on FIRE!

I personally do NOT like using this product at all, it is the most dangerous product to use in a "safe house" as well as outdoors where it can easily spill and start a fire in a flash. Let me be very clear, Alcohol cannot be seen well at all when it is alight and on the ground. Yes, you can see a flame when you are using your burner but if a little of that same Alcohol spills, or we have earth movement, you will not see it on the ground. It will still be alight and it will burn anything that it meets. Unfortunately the flame itself is hard to see because it burns at a low temperature.

What Is The Conclusion, Alcohol Or Propane?

Alcohol is the most unsafe item you could have, let alone when you have small children added to the mix, when being cooped up in a "safe house" where you cannot readily get away from it. I have been privy to some horrendous stories regarding alcohol stoves, where folks have had an UNKNOWN spill and their entire lodging has gone up in smoke, remember, they could get out into the safe surrounding air! Apart from that Alcohol will give off extreme amounts of moisture into the surrounding areas, which can create mold and mildew ---again that's okay if you are out of doors but not if you are inside. As far as I know, alcohol fumes aren't dangerous-just nauseating. Take all that information and place it in a small space that you do not want to get out off and Alcohol is not your best choice.

My vote goes to Propane!

© 2008, Pam Paizs

Listen to Pam's Beyond the Ordinary KRSE  Archived Radio Programs

     Pam Paizs, once the CEO of Australia's then largest Food Corporation, set up the research and development for "shelf stable" foods for the consumer market. Now owner of Happy Hovel Storable Foods in Yelm WA, Pam shares with you her knowledge of storing foods safely, taking the mystery out of purchasing and keeping foods for short and long-term purposes.